Postgame Wrap

Hello Haynie!

The Monarchs took care of business Wednesday night, defeating the San Antonio Silver Stars 81-74 in a game that possibly previewed a first round matchup.

Kristin Haynie loves pressure and one can see why. She flourishes. Like she did nearly one year ago in the 2006 WNBA playoffs, Haynie picked an ideal time to attain two career-bests. Haynie paced the Monarchs with a career-high 14 points, which included four of four from three-point range. Haynie also dished out three assists in her 18 minutes of action.

The atmosphere in ARCO Arena was abuzz before the game with fans anxious to see the two and three seed in the Western Conference lay it all on the line. When the Monarchs found themselves down by 11 points it was the crowd’s passion and the team's defensive intensity that crumbled the Silver Stars momentum. The Monarchs completed the thrilling comeback by opening the fourth quarter with a scintillating 12-2 run, which put the home team ahead 69-64 with 6:01 to go. The excitement from the crowd was contagious, as Kara Lawson nailed a baseline jumper with a smile on her face and then followed the play with a fast break lay up off of one of the Monarchs 12 steals (Silvers Stars finished with just three steals).

By the time the Silver Stars realized they had to try and stop the bleeding, it was too late. With the Monarchs lead at five, the Silver Stars called a timeout with 6:01 to go, but the Monarchs listened to Head Coach Jenny Boucek who said emphatically, "Don't let up!"

Like they did on Sunday, to close out the Mystics, the Monarchs hit all six of their free throws when it counted most, the last two minutes.

The terrific twosome that has become Rebekkah Brunson and Nicole Powell was as potent as ever in aiding the Monarchs win. Bekky swatted a career-high four blocks and did her usual, spider woman-esque domination of the glass, snatching 12 boards to go with her seven points. Powell did a little bit of everything. She had 13 points, four steals, three boards and two assists.

With the victory, the Monarchs now remain just a half-game back of the Silver Stars for the second seed in the West. The Monarchs now have two bouts with the conference leading Phoenix Mercury beginning this Friday at 7 p.m. at ARCO Arena.

Friday night is sure to be sensational! A limited number of tickets are still available for the MONTYS Fan Appreciation Night! The best way to recognize the gratitude the Monarchs have for YOU, the fans, is to host a playoff bound team with playoff implications on the line! The Playoffs are coming folks!!!